SScam68

iTrader: (20)

For starters what would be the best type of welding? Tig? Stick? I figured it would have to be one of those two as I don't think mig will hold up very well.

Also, what kind of material is it made of? Steel? Grey cast iron?


thanks for any help

jdustu

iTrader: (2)

it's just mild steel.....you aren't really holding anything together structurally so i would think mig would be fine......it's still got a ton of tinsle strength if you do it right, that's pretty much how the rest of the axle is welded...

Valkyn

iTrader: (8)

The axle tube is mild steel, but the differential housing is cast iron.

I believe welding steel (or anything) to cast is a no no, but there must be some way, since its done from the factory...

jdustu

iTrader: (2)

at least the tubes are steel...i guess the center section pry is grey iron.......if so, you really shouldn't weld it at all......

jdustu

iTrader: (2)

aren't they pressed in from the factory?

Valkyn

iTrader: (8)

would make sense.

jdustu

iTrader: (2)

here's a stick that's sounds like it would work:

PRIMA CAST ALLOY
AWS/A5.15 : E Ni.Fe.Cl
IS : 5511-91
Description : An electrode specially manufactured for repair and maintenance work. Because of its non picking up carbon from the base metal character its deposit remain ductile, soft & easily machinable and retain adequate strength. Weld Metal Hardness : 220 BHN Max.

Applications : Suitable for joining cast iron to mild steel, heavy cast iron parts where the machinability is required etc.

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

I was thinking stick or tig just because the need to get the castings hot enough to get it to weld properly. With the size of the differential it would absorb heat quickly so either it needs to be applied really hot quickly or slowly. I dont think we have anything hot enough, from what I'm thinking, to do it well with mig. Thats assuming that it can be welded.

Anybody know what the crystalline structure is for steel? Iron is BCC...

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

jdustu

beat me to it.......does "joining" mean weld?

jdustu

iTrader: (2)

yeah, they weld it......i'm not sure on the prep, but i would assume that you would have to heat the center up and keep it at a certain temp throughout the process, and peen it to get the fractures out...
the steel is fcc
i thought about weling mine at one time, but the guy who built my buick's nine inch and serviced my ten bolt(1bad86z28 on this board) was saying that the fbody really doesn't benifit from it with the way the suspension is set up....something else will give first i would think......

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

I am starting to wonder how exactly it would improve structural rigidity by just welding the tubes and nothing else. I figure you'd have to place gussets of some sort to actually do anything positive....

thanks for your input

frank

jdustu

iTrader: (2)

yeah, no problem.....if anyone else has any thoughts i'd be interested in hearing them as well.....

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

You're looking to prevent the tubes from rotating
in the housing, is all. The press fit has the rest
of the axes covered. My mechanic buddy welded
mine with a MIG and scratch-brush prep. The force
on the weld is going to be lengthwise so not high
stress if the bead is long.

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

How would the tubes rotate? What would cause it? Everything is riding on bearings......

What kind of wire did your friend use?

Valkyn

iTrader: (8)

When the car is under acceleration the nose of the differential is pushed up, hence why the tq arm is bracing it down.

This is why fast cars can pull the front end on launch, so the rear axle tubes do take quite a bit of pressure.

Question, did you get this rear with the axles cut off right at the housing?

ace68

iTrader: (15)

I welded mine with a mig. it is not cast steel and the weld had some nice penetration and very little splatter. I used 75% argon and 25% co2. I used the common wire for steel nothing special. I welded for a few years as a profession and I didn't see any problem with the way the puddle formed and penetration on the center section was excellent. I took my time spot welded in 8 places on each tube and then followed up with a 1/4 weld in 4 sections and then waited for the next commercial welded some more took the entire NASCR race on FOX before I finished.

CTSmechanic

iTrader: (2)

super blue or super missle tig welding rod works well no pre heating clean off with wire wheel and burn her in.... not all at once though...

JRracing

iTrader: (35)

I'm going to mig weld mine when I put the 4.10s in. Mild steel .023 wire & get it real hot. should'nt hurt any thing should it?

jdustu

iTrader: (2)

the concern i would have is weakening the cast iron by putting heat cycles on it....i don't think the axles rotating shoul be that big of a concern anyways, with the panhards, the lcas, the torque arm, ect......the gears will snap before you spin the pumpkin.....

ace68

iTrader: (15)

Also, that **** is cast iron not cast steel ****. I'll prob. split my case now!

Why do I listen to people I either have to do **** myself or check on everything I hear even from people who are supose to know what the **** their talking about.

DON"T TRUST ANYONE!


I didn't really think this guy would steer me wrong untill I read this post and figure I'd check the case with a spark test and bang. This guy either knew he was giving me the wrong info or he did this to me on purpose. Either way I'm ******* some of his **** up I'm sick of him and it's payback time.

He won't like me no more, ****' um!